The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-19
What viii the world

mebt's thought.
With all her apparent apathy, 81,
knew well how TO excite the resolution
of a generous aud ardent nature like
Myra's, while seeming TO oppose it. The
arguments that she used appealed en-
tirely To those selfish considerations
which were sure to be cast aside Will
disdain, by the young creature on whom
they were urged, and Myra went out
from the interview more impressed
than ever with the necessity of put
ting her project into immediate opera
ton.
The storm that had been threatenir G
sll day, came on at nightfall with al
the rush and violence of = tempest; bur
this scene suited well with the excite
ment and wild wish for action which
swelIed in the Young gir's heSrt, even
As the elements heaved and struggled
without
She sat BY the window, gazing upon
the storm the trees tossed their branch
rs to aud fro like giants reveling in the
wind; the rain sweeping downward IN
Sreaths and sheets of silvery water,
whenever the lightning glared over it;
and afar off the distant bay, heavine
INTO sight, as it were, from the very bo
som of darkness, and sinking back again
when the lightning withdrew the sweep
of its fiery wing.
Mr. d., full of unrest as the elements,
was pacing the verands; his face wa
innaturally pale, in the CLEANS OF light
ming, as he paced up and down, uneon-
scious or needless of the water-drift>
that now and then swept over him.
Poor Myra sat watching him; the storn,
within her own breast and the tempest
without, impaired to her spirit q wild
aud reckless courage.
She stepped out on the veranda; the
rain beat in her pale face, the lightning
,lared across her eyes, already more
han brilliant; she met her father in his
walk, and touched hisarm with her colo
nand.
Father, fatherl you have reflected
Oh, say that you will not provoke Mr..
Whitney into this death-s'rife when he
comes"
Mrs. d paused for one moment; a
-hade OF irresolution swept over his fea
cures, but it left them more pale, more
resolute than before; he turned away
without word of answer, and Myra dis
rnat night, close upon the hour OF
twelve, two people, man and woman.
stood near back entrance of Mr.. D.'s
iweling. The female held an umbrella
dripping and dreuched with rain; the
nan stood with his ear bent to the door,
listening.
At last, amid the storm, he heard the
III b.l hal
he door swung open, ard Myra appear
I'd, wrapped in a large shawl, and stand
ing bv "a little trunk, which the slender
girl had dragged step by step down the
lofty staircase.
Garry it carefully; there is neither
ock nor key; it was the only one |
-ould reach, she whispered, dragging
ler humble burden toward the man
Who swung it to his shoulders, and dis
appeared in the darkness.
Myra drew close 20 the woman, and,
sheltered by the dripping umbrella, fol-
lowed after. A walk of some distance
,rought them to a carriage, which stood
waiting at the back of the stable.
The steps were down, the horses and
vehicle all drenched with rain, and furi-
busly shaken by the wind, stood ready
70 receive her. She sprang, pale and
breathless, into the shelter. Her
faithful friend was about to mount the
seat.
"One word," said Myra. bending her
white face into the storm; "the turn
pike gate-you may be known there II
the man sees you. The storm RACES So
tiercely he may not be aroused, but IT
ne is, make no answer, your voice, my
good friend, would betray you, and thi-
kindness to me might be your ruin with
my father. If this man calls, do not
speak; the gate is old. the horses good,
the carriage strong; be resolute. and
drive on as if nothing were in the Way
Do you understand? TramDle the old
gate down, and that without word. 1t
will open your way back again"
81 will drive through the gate: never
fear," was the prompt reply, and the
man sprang to his seat.
One grateful shake of the hand, n
smothered "God bless you, Miss Myra,"
from the good woman who had rissed SO
much for her, and Myra fell back i'll the
The man was obliged to drive very
slowly, for the night was intensely dark
and he only kept the road by the CLEANS
of lightning that ever and anon flashed
over it.
At length they came to the turnpike
gate that stretched its soddea timber
tempest was high, and every precaution
was made to avoid the least noise, but
the old toli-gatherer had well-trained
and most acute ear.
just as the driver was dismounting to
try the lock of the gate, out came the
old man, half-dressed, with candle in
his hand that fared out the moment il
felt breath of the tempest.
''Halloal who goes there shouted
the old fellow.
Myra leaned from the carriage: Not
a word, use the whip-down with the
gate e-but not single word"
A firm sweep of the whip followed
pluHge-a Grassland then over the
broken boards and through the black
storm, the carriage MAS swept away.
Along the dark road it tOiled, pelted
with rain, half overtcrned every instant
by a sweep of the wind. that kept rising
stronger and higher, till on every hand
rose the black, gaunt shadow of many n
dwelling, and in their midst
single light cleaned like star.
"They are up-they are waitingW ex-
claimed Myra, with burst Of grateful
joy, AS she saw this light. Now, my
friend-my good. kind frend-you
must go 10 further; even they must not
see you. Stop here; set my trunk on
The walk; | will find the way myself
now"
The man would have protested against
this, but Ayra was firm, and there in
that wild storm she stood till the car
riage was out of sight.
Then she seized the trunk by the han
die, ard straining every nerve in her
delicate frame by the effort, dragged it
toward window where she saw two
fair, young, beautiful fares peering anx-
:ously out, as if they were searching
for come loved object in the darkness.
All at once those faces disappeared,
sound of glad welcome came toward the
door, and the next instant Myra, pant
ing with fatigue, white as death, and
drenched through and through, till the
rain dripped like rivulet from her gar
ments, was folded in the arms of those
girls.
ITO Be Continued